Water ski



May 1, 1962 w. E. BRABB 3,031,696

WATER SKI Filed Dec. 19, 1958 INVENTOR.

W/LL//V/ E'. BRAB@ ilnite States This invention relates to a water ski.

The object of the invention is to provide a water ski which is adapted to be engaged by a persons foot so that a person can conveniently and readily travel along a body of water for any desired purpose.

Another object of the invention is to provide a water ski, and it being understood that a pair of water skis are adapted to be used, one on each foot, and wherein the water skis are provided with hingedly mounted llaps so as to increase the eiliciency thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide a water ski which is extremely simple and inexpensive to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent in the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this application, in which like numerals are used to designate like parts throughout the same.

FIGURE l is a side elevational view of the water ski of the present invention.

FIGURE 2 is a view similar to FIGURE l, with parts brok-en away and in section, and showing the flaps in a different position.

FIGURE 3 is a top plan View of the water ski.

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view taken on line 4-4 of FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIGURE l.

Referring in detail to the drawings, the numeral indicates the water ski of the present invention which is shown to comprise a hollow elongated body member that includes a horizontally disposed bottom wall 11, and a horizontally disposed top wall 12. As shown in the drawings the upper front end of the body member is pointed as at 13, and the lower front portion of the body member is rounded as at 14 and this construction insures that the water ski will move eciently through the water. The body member further includes spaced parallel vertically disposed side walls 21. As shown in the drawings, there is provided a compartment 15 which is arranged intermediate the end of the body member, and a horizontally disposed base 16 is positioned in the compartment 15.

Toe and heel engaging members 17 and 18 are secured to the base 16, and the base 16 is supported on channel members 19. The numeral 20 indicates longitudinally extending spaced parallel reinforcing elongated beams which are secured to the bottom wall 11 and are provided to help strengthen the device.

Depending from the bottom wall 11 and secured thereto in any suitable manner, as for example by Welding, is a plurality of annular-shaped braces or nns 22, and the numeral 23 indicates movable aps which are arranged contiguous to the ns 22. The flaps 23 are hingedly connected to the bottom wall 11 by means of hinges 24. Bumpers 25 and 26 are secured to opposite sides of the aps 23.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that there has been provided a water ski, and it is to be understood that two water skis are adapted to be used simultaneously, one for each foot. In use the persons foot is adapted to be arranged in engagement with the members 17 and 18 and Since the members 1i) are of hollow lightweight con aten-t struction, they will float and will support the weight of the person. It is to be noted that the flaps 23 are hingedly connected to the bottom of the member 24, so that as a person moves along a body of water, the aps 23 can move from the position shown in FIGURE l to the positions shown in FIGURE 2 or vice versa, and this will prevent a person from slipping backwards on `the water and will facilitate the movement of the person along the water, as for example when a person wishes to walk along the body of water. Or, if desired, a person wearing the water skis may be towed by means of a boat or the like.

The beams 20 and channels 19 help strengthen and maintain the device rigid and the front portions 13 and 14 insure that the device will have a somewhat streamlined shape so as to facilitate movement of the device through water, as for example when waves are present. The bumpers 25 `are adapted to engage the iins 22, and the bumpers 26 are adapted to engage the bottom wall 11 and these bumpers which may be made of resilient material such as rubber or plastic, serve as shock absorbers as the flaps 23 pivot or swing back and forth.

The parts can be made of any suitable material and in ditferent shapes and sizes.

The unit is made as a water tight box and the base 16 is positioned so that the center of 'gravity will be at the proper point for proper use of the device, and a person using the water skis can walk or ride on water. When one of the water skis is slid forward, the aps 23v will fold back against the bottom of the device and when the stride is halted, the flaps will fall down and assume a vertical position as shown in FIGURE 1 so as to hold the water ski in place while the other foot is being brought forward, and the cycle is repeated.

The parts may be made of any suitable material such as aluminum while the members 17 and 18 may be made of rubber. The various walls are sealed together in such a manner as to provide a waterproof assembly. In certain instances the water ski may be made of a suitable plastic. The water skis can be used for amusement or recreation purposes, or for any other desired purpose.

The tins 22 act as stops for the swinging flaps 23 and also help stabilize the water skis. In the event that the userspills, the skis can be readily disengaged therefrom. Furthermore, a person can readily change direction as desired.

Minor changes in shape, size and rearrangement of det-ails coming within the eld of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

l. In a water ski, a hollow elongated body member including horizontally disposed spaced parallel top and bottom walls, the upper frontend of the body member being pointed, the lower front portion of the body member being shaped arcuately, spaced apart beams mounted in said body member, forming a compartment in said body member intermediate the ends thereof, a horizontally disposed base arranged in said compartment, transversely extending spaced parallel channels for supporting said base, longitudinally extending spaced parallel elone gated reinforcing beams secured to said bottom wall, toe and heel engaging members secured to said base, triangu lar-shaped fins depending from the bottom of said body member, Iand a plurality of spaced apart aps hingedly secured to the bottom wall of said body member and arranged contiguous to said ns.

2. ln a water ski, a hollow elongated body member including horizontally disposed spaced parallel top and bottom Walls, the upper front end of the body member being pointed, the lower front portion of the body member being shaped arcuately, spaced apart beams mounted in said body member, forming a compartment in said body member intermediate the ends thereof, a horizontally disposed base arranged in said compartment, transversely extending spaced parallel channels for supporting said base, longitudinally extending spaced parallel elongated reinforcing beams secured to said bottom wall, and toe and heel engaging members secured to said base, spaced apart triangular-shaped fins depending from the bottom of said body member, a plurality of spaced apart aps hingedly connected to the bottom Wall of the body member and arranged contiguous to said ns, and bumpers secured to opposite sides of Said ilaps.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Anderson Jan. 16, Sheldon Nov. 20, Meredith Apr. 7, Echola May 21, Krupka et al. Iuly 2, Clinedinst Ian. 5, Oseanyan Aug. 10, Sackett Dec. 29,

FOREIGN PATENTS France Jan. 7, 

